Results 1,841-1,860 of 2,335 for speaker:Joe O'Brien

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator Fitzpatrick for this opportunity to speak to the House on the important topic of HRT provision for women in menopause. The Department of Health and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, are committed to improving women's health. Since the establishment of the women's health task force in 2019, they have listened to what women want from the health service and have taken a number of...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Health Services Provision (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator Fitzpatrick. Considerable progress has been made in menopause care at primary and specialist care level. Six specialist menopause clinics are now open for women who have complex experiences of menopause. A quick reference guide for menopause was launched to support GPs and practice nurses in diagnostics and treatment at primary care level. A national menopause awareness...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, would like to thank the Senator for providing me with the opportunity to provide her with an update on the Drimnagh primary care centre, PCC, at Curlew Road, as well as an update on the HSE-owned site on Davitt Road in Drimnagh. The central objective of the programme for Government is to deliver increased levels of integrated healthcare with service...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I will not read the closing statement because the Senator will know much of what is in it already. I will speak directly with the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. I will see him in the Chamber today or tomorrow, and I will pass the views of the Senator on to him directly.I would say that, from the text, the Davitt Road site does not seem to have been ruled out. Yet, as the Senator said,...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Primary Care Centres (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: Indeed.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator Gallagher for raising the matter of the minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital and I welcome the opportunity to update the House on this important service. The minor injuries unit at Monaghan Hospital plays a vital role in providing valuable services to the local community and helping to alleviate pressures on our emergency departments. There are a total of 12 HSE minor...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Hospital Facilities (7 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Senator Gallagher for his contribution. Monaghan hospital, serving the people of counties Monaghan and Cavan, has a reputation for the delivery of high quality, innovative and safe care to patients. Over the past ten years, the minor injury unit at Monaghan hospital has treated thousands of patients each year. The National Ambulance Service has established medical assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Welfare Services (9 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. The CSP contribution per full-time equivalent position is not aligned with the minimum wage and does not meet the full salary cost of supported posts. It is an annual contribution that must be co-funded by the organisations...

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Community Welfare Services (9 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: My Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) supports over 420 community-based organisations, to provide local services through a social enterprise model. CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager. A Call for Proposals in respect of specific...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: In May of this year, together with Government colleagues, I announced €50 million in funding for more than 880 projects under the community recognition fund. The fund recognises the efforts of communities who have gone above and beyond during what has been a very challenging period for our country. It will support towns and villages nationwide that have shown generosity in welcoming...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: There has been a lot going on in supporting communities with new arrivals over the past 18 months. Under my remit, social inclusion and community activation programme, SICAP, allocations have been increased again. The additional €10 million allocation of last year will be repeated next year. The additional €1 million allocation that volunteer centres got last year will run...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Community Development Projects (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: The initial allocation was €50 million, with €30 million for this year and €20 million next year. There is some flexibility, including on timelines. Requests could be made for adaptations of particular proposals. There is a lot that is not yet visible in terms of what the community recognition fund can do. Running into November, we are now at a stage where we hope we...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank Deputy Moynihan for the question. The Department is responsible for the senior alert scheme which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: We are very interested in finding out where these blackspots are. We want everyone who wishes to avail of the senior alert scheme, SAS, to be able to access it. As I said, we will be pushing it out under a new advertising scheme coming out soon. We are also looking at counties with a low uptake as well. It is my understanding that once people have a landline connection they have access to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I thank both Deputies. We have more than 600 community groups around the country helping us to find people, but we need more. We need everyone to be on board to find people. The key part of this scheme is that it is a connection to people's wider community as well. This is why these community groups are invaluable. I will comment on the availability of the alarm. There are three...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: One is a landline alarm, which is installed when the participant has a standard telephone line. The second option is a broadband alarm, which is installed when the participant has a broadband line. The third alarm is the GSM version, which is installed when the participant does not have a standard telephone or a broadband line. This latter unit works off the mobile phone as well.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Schemes (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: There are different ways of doing it. There really should not be anyone who, as I said earlier, wants to avail of this scheme but is not getting it. It is, by the way, demand-led as well. When the demand is there, we will meet it.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: Our charity sector is an important and valued part of Irish society, playing an integral role in the provision of services to our communities. With over 11,500 charities on the Charities Register, the work of the Charities Regulator is also vitally important. The aim of the charities (amendment) Bill is to improve the ability of the regulator to conduct its statutory functions, providing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I will take the opportunity, and it is very relevant to the Deputy's question, to acknowledge the fact that this is this is Charity Trustees' Week. It is a week of acknowledging and recognising the efforts of over 76,000 volunteers who are trustees of Ireland's 11,500 registered charities. There is an extensive calendar of events this week organised in partnership with Boardmatch Ireland,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Charitable and Voluntary Organisations (14 Nov 2023)

Joe O'Brien: I echo the Deputy's sentiments, thanks and acknowledgement of the work of trustees. With this Bill coming forward, we are seeking to create an environment where trustees feel assured as they are carrying our their duties and where people are willing and confident to volunteer to become trustees in the first instance. It will further enhance and empower both existing and potential trustees...